5 Causes of Slab Leaks and How to Avoid Them
7063837684 • September 26, 2024
A slab leak occurs when water escapes from piping beneath your home’s foundation. This poses significant issues, such as wall cracks, water damage, and mold growth, leading to extensive repairs and replacements. Understanding what causes a water leak under concrete slabs can help you take essential preventative measures. Here are five common culprits behind slab leaks and tips on how to avoid them:
- Highly Acidic Water
High acid levels in water can cause pipes beneath your home to corrode over time, resulting in slab leaks. To combat this, consider installing a water softener to reduce the minerals making the water acidic. Using anti-scalers that deter scale buildup may also help avoid potential leaks. - High Water Pressure
While having strong water pressure may seem like a good idea, it can wreak havoc on your pipes over time, especially those running under the slab. This excess pressure can damage your pipes, leading to failures or leaks.
Your home’s water pressure should stay between 60 and 80 PSI to prevent undue stress on your plumbing and help lengthen its lifespan. You can also install a pressure regulator to ensure the water pressure is always at safe levels. - Ground or Soil Shifts
Small tremors or soil erosion can cause the ground under your home’s foundation to shift, putting pressure on your plumbing lines. When this occurs, piping under the slab can crack and leak. While these ground shifts aren’t something you can control, you can further protect your plumbing from the after-effects by ensuring proper pipe and drainage systems installation. - Abrasion
Plumbing pipes, particularly those carrying hot water, naturally expand and contract with temperature changes. If they come in contact with concrete or other pipes, this movement can cause abrasion, resulting in worn-down components that could eventually crack and leak. To prevent this, pipes should be insulated or have enough room to move without causing friction with other surfaces. - Old Plumbing System
The majority of older homes use cast iron and galvanized steel pipes, which are prone to wear and tear and corrosion. That’s why slab leaks are more likely to occur in older plumbing systems. Upgrading to durable, corrosion-resistant piping materials like PVC can help prevent this issue. To ensure you’re using suitable pipes for your home, consult a licensed plumbing professional.
Seek Help From a Local Plumbing Expert
Learning about common causes of slab leaks and how to avoid them can help you protect your home’s plumbing and foundation and avoid costly, extensive repairs. Get professional
plumbing services if you need further assistance addressing pipe issues. Contact NorthStar Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in Fargo, ND today!
As summer winds down and the back-to-school season picks up, it’s easy to put home maintenance on the back burner. But if you want to avoid costly plumbing issues this fall and winter, now is the perfect time to knock out a few important fixes. Here are 5 plumbing tasks every homeowner should tackle before the seasons changes and why doing them now can save you time, money, and stress later. 1. Find and Fix Hidden Leaks That tiny drip under your sink or behind the toilet might not seem like a big deal — but it adds up fast. Not only can leaks lead to water damage, but they also waste gallons of water (and dollars) every month. A quick inspection now can prevent a much bigger headache when temperatures drop and pipes become more vulnerable. 2. Test Your Sump Pump Late summer storms and early fall rain can overload your drainage system if your sump pump isn’t working properly. If it’s been a while since it was last checked, now’s the time. We’ll make sure everything is operating smoothly so you’re protected during heavy rain or unexpected snow melt. 3. Clear Out Slow Drains Are your sinks or tubs draining slower than usual? Hair, soap, and debris can build up over time, especially during the high-use summer months. A professional drain cleaning ensures water flows freely and helps prevent backups during the colder months when pipes can contract and clog more easily. 4. Inspect Your Water Heater No one wants to be stuck with a freezing shower in October. Your water heater has worked hard all summer and now’s the time for a quick inspection. We’ll check for signs of wear, flush out sediment buildup, and make sure it’s running efficiently before the weather cools. 5. Prep Your Outdoor Plumbing It’s not quite time to winterize your outdoor faucets and irrigation lines, but you can still get ahead by checking for leaks, replacing worn washers, and making sure everything shuts off properly. Come October, you’ll be glad you planned ahead. ✅ Ready to Prep Your Plumbing for Fall? NorthStar Plumbing & Drain Cleaning offers honest, reliable service for Fargo–Moorhead homeowners whether you need a quick fix, routine checkup, or full system inspection. Book your pre-fall plumbing service now and step into the new season with confidence.
🚿☀️ Summer plumbing issues don’t take a vacation. Are You Ready?
From leaky outdoor faucets to basement flooding and overworked drains, July brings a unique set of challenges for your home’s plumbing.
We’re breaking down the top plumbing problems to watch for this month and how to prevent them. ✅
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